Vocab 2.4

Question 1

acrimonious

Answer 1

angry and bitter (typically used to describe a speech or debate)

The acrimony between President Zelentsky and President Putin is evident in their respective speeches

Question 2

egregious

Answer 2

outstandingly bad; shocking

President Putin was accused of egregious war crimes in Ukraine, including the bombing of a maternity ward

Question 3

nonplussed

Answer 3

(of a person) surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react

Even the experienced doctor was nonplussed when he saw the patient with a chainsaw in his skull

Question 4

zealous

Answer 4

1. showing or having great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective
2. marked by fervent partisanship of a person, cause, or ideal

Despite believing that her client was guilty, the attorney was obligated to provide her client with a zealous defense

Question 5

histrionic

Answer 5

overly dramatic, as in behavior designed to attract attention

She put on a histrionic display of grief at the funeral

Question 6

irascible

Answer 6

having or showing a tendency to be easily angered

The irascible girl was a nightmare to babysit because she threw tantrums over anything and everything

Question 7

strident

Answer 7

1. loud and harsh
2. presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively and unpleasantly forceful way

In a debate, you want to sound calm and reasonable, not harsh or strident

Question 8

sagacity

Answer 8

wisdom

I always appreciated my grandfather’s sagacious advice

Question 9

exacting

Answer 9

requiring close application or attention

Rhetorical analysis requires exacting work; students must read and write for an extended period of time

Question 10

obtuse

Answer 10

insensitive or unobservant

Marcel is far too obtuse to realize that his daughter wants a hug, not another Xbox game